Sewage Cleanup 101

Water is the single most destructive force of nature in an indoor environment. On top of that, “sewage backup” are two words that no homeowner ever wants to hear. Those two little words bring the disaster of water damage to a whole new level of risks and damages. However, don’t think that just because the water you find is clear, it isn’t hazardous. No matter what color the water is, there are likely chemical and biological contaminants hazardous to your health.

Water damage

Time is not on your side when it comes to water damage. In fact, the longer any kind of water damage goes untreated, the greater the damage and potential for mold proliferation. The situation is even more critical when the waters contain raw sewage. Immediate response to a water emergency saves time and reduces the risks for health issues and further damage to your home and personal belongings. It also will help to eliminate the creation of the proper wet and warm environment for mold growth. After water damage joins forces with mold damage, the problem doubles. This is why it is extremely important to always act fast when it comes to water damage.

Remediation/Cleanup

Effective restoration involves decontamination and drying of all surfaces that have been in contact with the sewage. Remediation should begin as soon as possible to curtail the potential for microbial growth and resultant damage. This also should be handled by a qualified, trained professional, such as Stovers. We are trained to mitigate health risks from dangerous raw wastes that have penetrated both the building and its furnishings and know how to properly clean up the mess safely while ensuring that there will be no future complications. This will allow you to rest assured that your home will be back to normal in no time.

Should you ever find yourself in such a “stinky” situation, here are a few steps that you should take. Whether you’re dealing with water or sewage intrusion, the first step is: Call a certified specialist.

3 Steps to take when facing water damage from sewage

Find a licensed sewage remediation company. A licensed contractor has the training, expertise, and experience required to do the job well, safely and to code.

Take Pictures. While wearing proper safety gear, such as a face mask and rubber boots in order to protect yourself from any harmful substances, you should take pictures of the damages. This will become valuable when you are ready to file an insurance claim

Remove yourself and anybody else who resides with you from the area. If the damage is limited to just the basement, staying upstairs should be far enough away. However, if the damage has taken over most of your home, it is best to get as many people out of the house as possible until the professionals arrive.

Pretty simple right? That’s because we aren’t exaggerating the risks of water damage from sewage. If directly exposed, it can cause diseases such as salmonella, respiratory infections, Intestinal, eye and skin infections, Hepatitis A, and Bacillary dysentery. This is why it is important to let the pros handle it.